SC ruling on boat monitoring may harm fisheries sector

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court’s (SC) decision to uphold a 2021 ruling declaring the monitoring of commercial fishing vessels unconstitutional could undermine the competitiveness of the Philippine fisheries sector, according to Oceana Philippines.

Oceana Philippines Vice President Von Hernandez said the ruling extends beyond government monitoring and enforcement, warning it could also reduce fishers’ incomes and limit access to international markets.

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“In effect, it affects not only monitoring and enforcement, but also the overall competitiveness of our industry,” Hernandez said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

He added that the ruling could ultimately reach fishing communities through shifts in demand, income, and livelihood opportunities.

Hernandez also warned of possible economic and trade consequences, particularly for seafood exports, as importing countries enforce strict compliance standards for fish and fishery products.

He noted that the Philippines has previously faced warnings from importing markets over gaps in fisheries management.

Hernandez cited the European Union’s yellow card issued in June 2014 over failures to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which the EU lifted in April 2015 after reforms.

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He also pointed to US restrictions on Philippine blue swimming crabs (alimasag) due to the lack of systems for reporting marine mammal mortalities and serious injuries, as well as weak bycatch monitoring.

“While not directly tied to vessel monitoring measures, these cases show that markets now demand proof of legality, and we must be able to provide it,” he said.

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READ: DA to contest SC ruling voiding vessel monitoring rule

Oceana Philippines stressed that vessel monitoring measures (VMM) represent a global standard in fisheries management and play a key role in combating IUU fishing.

The group warned that removing the monitoring system could signal a retreat from the Philippines’ commitments to curb illegal fishing if the ruling stands.

“Weakening our monitoring at this critical moment is like removing the fire alarm while the house is burning,” Hernandez said.